Consett Sunday League: Despite a shock home defeat by Annfield Plain Cricket Club, a quirk of fate has left Stateside still firmly in the driving seat for the League Championship.

This was effectively their first defeat of the campaign following the disappointing resignation last week of Craghead so late in the season.

And with Craghead being the only previous team to have defeated Stateside, the Consett side suddenly had those points erased while their main rivals lost out having already beaten the Stanley outfit and having those points deducted.

So the defeat by the Cricket Club turned out to be the first official defeat of the season for Stateside as they went down by the odd goal in seven, despite goals from Martin Beckwith, Darren Watson and Andy Elliott.

The win lifts the Plain into second position, though they are still two points adrift of Stateside and have played three extra games.

On the mark for the Cricketers were Arthur Nelson, Mark French and a double from George Clarke.

Golden Lion got back to their winning ways after edging out Lintz Cricket Club 3-2 with goals from John Berry, Stephen Hird and David Thompson while Glyn Johnson and Steve Alderson replied.

Blackhill Comrades crushed Bute Arms 7-0 with Andrew Westgarth scoring four of the goals and Paul Clark the other three.

A Lee Fortunato hat-trick steered Chopwell to a 7-1 win over the Peacock and helped maintain their slender one point lead over Tantobie in Division Two.

Tantobie were odd goal in three winners at Black Horse where Andrew Robinson and Kevin Johnson goals sealed the points with Martin McGinney scoring for the home team.

Paul Allen scored twice in a 3-1 Top Club win at the Cricketers while a solitary Neil Johnson goal was all Steel Club required at Oxhill.

Carl Gerry and Steve Mallett goals took Plainsman to a 2-0 win over Scotch Arms to maintain their five points advantage at the top of Division Three.

Dipton Bird Inn remain second after their 3-1 success at the Board Inn while Prince of Wales were 4-2 winners over Medomsley Miners and both Gareth Leadbitter and Joe Clark shared the goals in a 4-0 Delves win over the Duke.

Stephen Laing bagged four goals and David O'Rourke three as the Freemasons rattled up an unlucky 13 at Horse & Groom while Paul Sawyer got two of the goals in a 6-0 Hat & Feather win over the Smelters.

Aaron Hodgson's goal could not prevent AK Leisure crashing 5-1 at home to Durham & District side Witton Gilbert who will meet Stateside in the semi-final of the Consett Charity Cup after losing out to them a fortnight ago in another competition.

In an incredible quarter-final tie, extra-time produced a 10-6 win for Blackhall Mill over the Towneley Arms. Paul Tyers scored twice including two in extra-time while there were two in the last half hour from Gavin Courtney along with a Darren Watson double in normal time for the Mill.

Towneley Arms who were 4-1 up at one stage before it ended 6-6 after 90 minutes found hat-tricks from Glenn Ferry and Paul Willary.

Lanchester Social are through to the last four of the North West Durham Charity Cup after a 4-3 win at South Moor Sports with Phil Raisbeck scoring twice along with John Jackson and Stu Kelly.

Stanley and District Sunday League: Pelton Fell's title hopes are still on track after they won the top game of the day away to local rivals Grange Villa WMC.

But the Fell made it hard for themselves when they had to come from behind after the Villa went ahead through a Michael Barton own goal when he headed past his own keeper from a corner.

A Derek Willis goal levelled it up before Daniel Bankhead hit the all important winner from the penalty spot to move the Fell one place up the table and within seven points of third placed Grange Villa - with eight games in hand.

Stanley RAFA entertained current league leaders Chester Garden Farm while giving a good account of themselves could not stop the Chester lads opening up a six points lead at the top of the table.

The RAFA goals were netted by David Maughan and Richard Elliott with Andrew Robson, Peter Bell, Graham Cook and Barry Cox scoring for the Farm.

In Group B of the Richardson Cup, Low Fell Jolly Miller took on Pelton Crown who won 2-0 with efforts from Grant Nattrass and John Sexton.

In the North West Durham Charity Cup, South Moor Sports played Lanchester in a thrilling encounter before losing out by the odd goal in seven against the Consett Sunday League outfit.

The Moor can consider them selves very unlucky to go out despite goals from Michael Gray, Peter Blackburn and Chris Youll for South Moor.

l The league is looking for new teams for next season. It was formed in 1964 and is one of the oldest Sunday Leagues in County Durham. For further information contact League Secretary Tom Smith on (0191) 2452941.